Longest Ferry Ride Ever

The N.C. Department of Transportation Ferry Division has announced the temporary suspension of operations at the Hatteras-Ocracoke route due to gusting winds and shallow channel conditions.

 The Motor Vessel Frisco ran aground in Hatteras Inlet at approximately 11:15 a.m. today, near channel marker #9, with 35 passenagers and 19 vehicles and six crew members on board. It became free from the shoal at approximately 3:45 p.m. The U.S. Coast Guard was informed and provided assistance.

Once weather conditions improve, operations will resume but suspensions could re-occur due to channel conditions. Call the Hatteras terminal at 252-986-2353 for updates.

 Also severe weather caused the cancellation of the 1 p.m. Cedar Island-Ocracoke departure and the 4 p.m. Ocracoke-Cedar Island departure. Call the Ocracoke terminal at 252-928-1665 for more information.

 For up-to-date status on Hatteras and other ferry routes, travelers can sign-up to receive message on Twitter by going to www.twitter.com/ncdot_ferry.